methane

noun

meth·​ane ˈme-ˌthān How to pronounce methane (audio)
 British usually  ˈmē-
: a colorless odorless flammable gaseous hydrocarbon CH4 that is a product of biological decomposition of organic matter and of the carbonization of coal, is used as a fuel and as a starting material in chemical synthesis, and is the simplest of the alkanes

Examples of methane in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The group worked alongside 40 research institutions and 50 companies to put together a more comprehensive picture of methane emissions. Justine Calma, The Verge, 4 Mar. 2024 Internationally, more than 100 countries have pledged to reduce their methane emissions by 30% by 2030. Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024 In the same doublespeak, Exxon Mobil promised reductions of flaring and methane emissions while planning to triple production in the Permian Basin. Sheila Thorne, The Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2024 Around 60 percent of methane emissions come from human activities, including agriculture, fossil fuels and landfills. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Feb. 2024 Some might say methane emissions, which, by a factor of 28, are more potent than CO2. Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 The launch was originally scheduled to take place Wednesday, but a glitch with the rocket’s methane fuel forced SpaceX to stand down. Denise Chow, NBC News, 15 Feb. 2024 Last, the detector can distinguish a methane plume from widespread background methane levels that may have existed. Ian Palmer, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 For instance, wealthy countries could provide capital to help reduce the release of methane from landfills, which accounts for between two percent and four percent of total greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Rachel Glennerster, Foreign Affairs, 14 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'methane.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of methane was in 1867

Dictionary Entries Near methane

Cite this Entry

“Methane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/methane. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

methane

noun
meth·​ane ˈmeth-ˌān How to pronounce methane (audio)
: a colorless odorless flammable gas that consists of carbon and hydrogen and is produced by decay of organic matter

Medical Definition

methane

noun
meth·​ane
ˈmeth-ˌān, British usually ˈmē-ˌthān
: a colorless, odorless, flammable, gaseous hydrocarbon CH4 that is lighter than air, forms explosive mixtures with air or oxygen, and occurs naturally as a by-product of the decomposition of organic matter by anaerobic bacteria

called also marsh gas

More from Merriam-Webster on methane

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